If a show you follow in Podcasts seems to be missing older episodes, check the filter first. Apple’s iOS 27 guide says a followed show is filtered to Unplayed episodes by default, so anything you’ve finished drops out of the list until you remove that filter or search for it.
The same guide explains how to search within a single show, sort its episodes oldest first, and mark a whole batch as played. The steps below work on any iPhone that runs iOS 27.
Why a followed show hides episodes
Two settings can shrink a show’s episode list. The first is that default Unplayed filter. Apple notes that filter changes for a show you follow stick until you change them again, so a filter you set months ago may still be active.
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The second is Hide Played Episodes. To check it for one show, go to Library, tap Shows, touch and hold the show, tap Settings, and look for Hide Played Episodes. To check it for every show you follow, go to Settings > Apps > Podcasts.
Neither removes episodes from the show. Apple also says your filter selections don’t affect your ability to find any episode of the show using search.
Search for an episode inside a show
- Go to the Podcasts app on your iPhone, then search or browse for the show.
- Tap the show, scroll down, then tap See All Episodes.
- Tap the search field near the top of the screen, then enter a word or phrase.
- Suggested results appear as you type. To view all results, tap the Search button on the keyboard.
Because search ignores the show’s filters, this is the quickest way back to a specific interview or topic.
Sort episodes oldest to newest
- In Podcasts, tap the show.
- Tap the More button, then tap Sort.
- Choose Sort Oldest to Newest, or Sort Newest to Oldest to switch back.
Sorting changes the list, not playback. If you want a series to play in order after the current episode ends, set that separately: go to Library, tap Shows, touch and hold the show, tap Settings, then choose an option under Episode Order. Apple says episodes you play from the show page then continue in the order you pick.
Filter episodes
- In Podcasts, tap the show.
- Tap the Filter button.
- Choose one or more filters, such as All Episodes or Video.
Apple’s guide says the Filter button is available only if the show has Video or Subscriber-Only episodes. If you follow the show, or have added one of its episodes to your Library, you also get options such as Unplayed, Saved and Downloaded. If those are missing, follow the show and check the filters again.
Mark a batch of episodes as played
For a single episode, swipe right on it in the show’s list, then tap Played or Unplayed.
For a whole show you follow, tap the More button while viewing the show, then choose Mark All as Played, Mark Filtered as Played, Mark All as Unplayed or Mark Filtered as Unplayed. The filtered options are useful when you’re catching up on a long-running show: filter the list first, then clear just those episodes.
Download video, not just audio
By default, Podcasts downloads only the audio of video episodes. To keep the video too, go to Settings > Apps > Podcasts and turn on Download Video. You can also set this per show: go to Library, tap Shows, touch and hold the show, tap Settings, tap Download Video, then choose On.
Saved episodes download automatically, so you can listen offline on the iPhone speaker or AirPods 5. If you’d rather save without downloading, turn off Download When Saving in Settings > Apps > Podcasts.
